A leading Tory councillor has been arrested on suspicion of possessing child pornography.

Divorced father-of-three Ken Bartram, 63, a church organist, had his flat raided by Scotland Yard.

It is believed a stash of more than 50 DVDs and a mobile phone containing various images were seized.

Failed actor Bartram, a councillor in the London borough of Hillingdon, is no longer at home in Uxbridge, Middlesex.

Hillingdon Council chiefs were unaware of his arrest when contacted by The People Deputy leader Cllr David Simmonds said: "As far as we are aware Cllr Bartram has not been involved with anything unlawful."

But Scotland Yard said: "We arrested Ken Bartram at his flat. He was taken for questioning and released on bail. We also seized a number of his belongings."